Preceding Closing Arguments: NY Attorney General and Trump’s Lawyers File Final Briefs
Ahead of the forthcoming closing arguments in a civil case, New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, advocates for permanently banning former President Donald Trump from the state’s real estate sector, citing “outrageous” fraud.
Final Filings and Allegations
In the latest court filing on Friday, Attorney General Letitia James, alongside lawyers representing Trump and other defendants, submitted their concluding briefs. This filing precedes the scheduled closing arguments set for next Thursday in Manhattan, a case that poses a threat to Trump’s valuable real estate holdings.
Trump’s legal team countered by accusing the attorney general’s office of exceeding its jurisdiction, arguing that the attempt to prohibit Trump from “any and all” business endeavors represents a penalty far surpassing mere financial loss.
Fraud Allegations and Legal Standoff
Trump’s lawyers countered the state’s claims by contending that during the three-month trial in the previous year, the state failed to demonstrate any substantial real-world consequences resulting from Trump’s financial disclosures to banks. Nevertheless, the presiding judge noted that Trump overstated his net worth by billions.
The attorney general’s office condemned Trump’s “myriad deceptive schemes” aimed at inflating asset values and concealing facts, terming them so egregious that they defy innocent justification.
Verdict Anticipation and Political Implications
Justice Arthur Engoron is expected to deliver the verdict post the closing arguments. Engoron had previously found Trump guilty of fraudulently exaggerating his wealth to secure more favorable loan conditions.
Amid Trump’s assertions of innocence and denunciation of the case as a political agenda, he faces the prospect of at least $370 million in penalties and potential business restrictions in the state, as sought by Attorney General Letitia James.
Ongoing Legal Battles and Family Testimony
Trump, facing multiple charges across various jurisdictions, has maintained his innocence, labeling the trials as politically motivated. His children, Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka Trump, provided testimony during the trial. While Donald Jr. and Eric defended their peripheral involvement in their father’s financial disclosures, Ivanka testified without being a defendant.
Trump’s legal predicament, including possible dissolution orders for key assets in his New York portfolio, awaits resolution as appeals challenge these decisions. The impending criminal trials, beginning in March, add further complexity to his legal entanglements.
